Actor Training the Laban Way: An Integrated Approach to Voice, Speech, and Movement

This is a book you can't just read. You will only appreciate this book if you do the exercises and pay attention to the changes that result. I do recommend reading it first just to take notes and get a sense of the concepts, but then go back and do the work. While this book is labeled for actors, I think any person can get a lot out of this book if they apply themselves. I also like that the author acknowledges the occult interests of Laban and how they played a role in his work.

Laban as it applies to the actor. Had to pick this up just for that reason. It was really interesting the way the connections were made, love the detailed nature to Laban, yet the ease of implementing into your own routine. The exercises throughout are excellent as well.

I have three invaluable reference books covering Rudolf Laban’s theories and techniques, Laban for All (Newlove & Dalby), Actor Training the Laban Way (Adrian), and Laban for Actors and Dancers (Newlove). Over time I have found that I tend to use them in that order. Unless you’re a lover of books, as is I, I suggest only purchasing the first two books.I believe that adding John Dalby as co-author of Laban for All takes Newlove’s earlier work, Laban for Actors and Dancers, to a higher level of readability and usefulness. It describes Laban’s work in more understandable but equally detailed language.While Laban for All teaches us about Laban theories and techniques, Actor Training the Laban Way puts those theories and techniques into practice. What it adds to this triad of books are exercises for the application of Laban.When working with actors, I’ve found that I first go to Laban for All to explain particular concepts. I then go to Actor Training the Laban Way for exercises that apply those concepts.One might argue that the two books should be combined into one but I feel that would only cause clutter. For me, having one book to describe Laban and a second for its application is much more useful.I feel that dancers must be able to act, go beyond mere perfection of body movement to the emotional expressiveness of the character they are portraying. Likewise, an actor must be able to “dance.” That is, go beyond mere vocalization of lines and movement through space and time. Actors, as with dancers, must be able to use their body to express the essence of the character they portray. Laban for All and Actor Training the Laban Way offer ways to enhance those abilities. They would be worthwhile additions to your reference collection whether you are an actor or a dancer.

This book is inclusive of Laban principles and exercises and how to integrate in a curriculum for actor training. It is exactly what I am looking for. This is a great book for professors, especially.

My source book

This book has a lot of great information, but I don't find it very user friendly. The images and tables and illustrations help support the text, but not in a very fluid way.

Pretty good, it's very useful for me!

The author helped me understand the Laban way. I am a PE teacher trying to understand how I might better teach my young students.